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Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
GIAC · professional
GDSAGIAC Defensible Security Architecture
GIAC Defensible Security Architecture
Official pageComparing
GIACGDSA
› Cost
Exam fee
GDSA$979
Exam fee
$979
Annual maintenance fee
GDSA—
Annual maintenance fee
—
3-year cost of ownership
GDSA$979
3-year cost of ownership
$979
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
GDSA73% (scaled per attempt)
Pass mark
73% (scaled per attempt)
Retake policy
GDSA$999 fee · 30d wait
Retake policy
$999 fee · 30d wait
Study time
GDSA100–200 hrs
Study time
100–200 hrs
Validity
GDSA4 yrs
Validity
4 yrs
CPE / yr
GDSA9 CPEs
CPE / yr
9 CPEs
Delivery
GDSAmixed
Delivery
mixed
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
GDSA$130K – $195K
Range
$130K – $195K
Median
GDSA$155,000
Median
$155,000
Premium %
GDSA—
Premium %
—
Role context
GDSASecurity architect (defensive), US, 5+ years.
Role context
Security architect (defensive), US, 5+ years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
GDSA8.0
Schema quality
8.0
Practice evidence
GDSA5.0
Practice evidence
5.0
Maintenance
GDSA7.0
Maintenance
7.0
Market recognition
GDSA5.5
Market recognition
5.5
Average
GDSA6.4
Average
6.4
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
GDSAGlobal
Recognition
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
GDSA—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
DoD 8140 baseline
GDSA—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
Holders worldwide
GDSA—
Holders worldwide
—
Current version
GDSA2024 SEC530 refresh (2024-04)
Current version
2024 SEC530 refresh (2024-04)
› Domain coverage
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
GDSA● core
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
● core
A3Zero Trust Architecture
GDSA● core
A3Zero Trust Architecture
● core
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